Brian

Peter, In that case, and seeing as how it seems he knew, I think that ethics are out the window anyways, and I would fight to get a resolution that I was happy with if I were you. It seems as though you are not going to win against him though in this case, but it is definitely worth pursuing and seeing if you can get a partial refund. The amount of saiha blades out there is staggering indeed, and I can certainly believe the high figures claimed. I am sure many of them are indistinguishable too. Brian

All, Home again, and just sorting out the few items I bought and all the pics so I can start posting some. On my last day in Tokyo, I returned to a little sword shop in Ueno that I had found and got on well with the owner. Nothing there really in my price range, but a friend was looking for a cheapish large katana tsuba for mounting and among the less expensive range of items I saw this one and picked it up for a very good deal. I was going to pass it on to my friend, but the more I look at it, the more I like it. Of course I know it isn't the Kaneie/Kaneiye but I was wondering if it would likely be the Saga group, another group, or merely gimei or a low quality copy? I don't have a lot of experience with good iron, and hence the trip to Japan again. However I am enjoying the look of the iron on this one, even better than the pics show. I also enjoy looking at it in certain light, as the surface seems to go 3D on me in my wild imagination, with dancing surface as I move it and almost as if I can see through the top layer. Very odd to someone who hasn't examined a lot of iron tsuba. So what do the iron experts say? Bad copy, later Saga or just a lump of old iron? Regards, Brian Edit to add: The difference in shading is my shadow while taking the pics

Peter, I think the first thing to do is get a second opinion on the saiha. I know the polisher you are using is ultra reputable, but it would make a stronger case to have a second opinion to back this up. I would ask the polisher if there is a chance he can get a second person (togi or sword authority) to state in writing that this is saiha and explain it is to have a good case with the dealer. I don't beleive that dealer is an expert on swords by any means. He knows armour, but I think his sword knowledge is lacking. I should mention to the forum that this dealer is no-one we would have come across online and is relatively unknown to the Western market. A lot depends on when the saiha was done. Was it done recently, or during the fighting life of the sword to keep it in service. The situation is also complicated by the other circumstances around the koshirae, and it is my opinion only that the blade should be kept with the koshirae even if saiha in this case, even if it means negotiating a discount for the entire package. However I do feel that the second opinion is important for the case itself and to prevent any doubt at all. Is the dealer challenging the fact that it is saiha at all, or merely that you should have known this? If he knew it, then he should have mentioned it. If he didn't know it, and is a dealer with experience, then how could he expect you to identify it? Good point to use with him. Regards, Brian

Duh! I should have checked the avatars in question before typing. That's what you get when you try and remember them in your head :lol: At least I have an excuse. A 14 hour flight and no real sleep for the past 48 hours. :? Can't say it is great to be back. Off to sleep and maybe I feel more human in a day or 2. Lots of pics to go through and see what to post. But there I go OT again.... Brian

I like that site too Henry. Btw...that's not Guido :lol: I guess Dirk and Guido chose the same avatars. Amazing how we all associate the people with their avatars on first glance Maybe it's time I added some new avatars, although there are quite a few to choose from. It's a real shame the Nihonto Kanji Pages are gone Best site for identifying at a quick glance. Regards, Brian

If the sword is genuine (and it is probably, but some odd combinations of mixed fittings there) then it is likely a VERY late war blade, maybe even stainless judging by the look. Signature wouldn't mean much imho as it will likely be mass produced and late war expedient production. Brian

Grey has posted before the mods had a chance to, and I urge you to heed his advice Shan. I will not allow every newcomer to be put through the mill and have to prove their intentions. This is a friendly forum and we don't jump on every poster looking for any odd signs. The fact is that Richard came here looking for advice, and not to sell anything. We are ALL fully aware of that fact that if anything ever went towards a deal with anyone, then the standard advice of buyer beware exists and it would be up to the buyer to ensure they are confident of the deal. We are an informative site with the benefit of trying to assist with sales and purchases. Not the other way around. Richard, please accept the apologies of the forum, and please feel free to update us with any info. Brian

I'm with Rich on this one. Doesn't have too many Akasaka traits, but a nice tsuba and does look Higo to my novice eyes. Brian

Sean, I can't translate it, but it is likely a poem and is written in "grass" script which is like artistic cursive. If Morita san is around, he might be able to assist. I am tempted to say this looks like one of the WW2 soldier's knives, but those usually have an artificial hamon or oil quenched one, and this one looks like it might have a real water quenched edge and has a chance of being traditionally made. Can't say for sure. It you can, remove the peg in the handle and show a pic of the nakago (tang) as this will help indicate if it is WW2 or earlier. Brian

I know there is a Chinese Nihonto forum out there somewhere, discussing genuine swords and there are quite a few Chinese Nihonto collectors there too. I stumbled on it a while ago, but don't have the link. They would know exactly what the situation is there. Anyone have the link or remember who they are? Brian

Actually, this is the point without the rest of that sentence and seller references. It is always better to buy one good tsuba than 3 bad tsuba. 3 Tsuba at $150 each should rather be replaced with one good tsuba at $450, and for that matter...one tsuba at $1000 from a good seller is mostly better than 3 average tsuba at $300 each. This assuming you know what you are looking for and are able to identify the good ones. This is just general advice, and not particularly aimed at this tsuba or any particular sellers or buyers. Just good advice to follow. People will always buy those $100 tsuba in the hope of stumbling onto a "sleeper" (don't we hate that word :lol: ) but like swords, you should eventually trade them up. Brian

Nie can be faked, but usually only by an expert, and not practically by someone looking to make fakes. There is an article somewhere showing how a top Japanese artisan can even drill tiny holes and insert tiny rods to fake nie. However this would probably only be done on a top level sword to increase value on an expensive sword to mislead people when the hamon drops off. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/acid%20p ... ke%20hamon also has some info. We won't get into too much debate on fakes on this forum, besides ther actual identification. Brian

Ted, if there were an award for perfect posts, that would win it. Can't add much to that at all. Read Ted's post, and that is the position of this forum. We walk a fine line in allowing current eBay discussions. It is a tough choice, but one that I think usually has more benefits than disadvantages. It is through our own personal discression that this allowance works. Think before posting, and ask yourself if the post is educational or informative..or merely price-based. As Stephen said too, please sign posts with a name, and also use the pm feature if unsure of anything before posting. We encourage newcomers to ask before plunging into purchases, but advice is usually limited to the item itself, and pricing debates are not our focus. The only way we can allow ongoing auction discussions is if we are self-regulating. For the most part this works well (judging by how seldom debates such as this one occur) but sometimes we need to be reminded of the guidelines. Btw, I assume this is another auction system besides eBay, but of course these guidelines apply to any sales, anywhere online. Brian

Every dealer here that I have met has mentioned the slowing down of business. Even those that do little business overseas have seen a drop in trade. I am not sure how long they can let the Yen stay this strong, but it is definitely having an affect. Togishi too...same comments. Brian

Piers, It was great to meet you too, and thanks for being so patient with us and all the translating all day. It really makes a change to be able to undestand what is being said and to deal properly. Great part of the world. It anyone travels to Japan, don't miss Ako/Okayama area. Beautiful, and a wonderful antiques market too. Nice to see lots of swords for sale. Some great deals too. Pity it was so close to the end of my trip/budget as I would have love to have picked up a sword or 2. Some nice wakizashi and a few really nice jumonji yari in koshirae too. The gun was a fluke. I said it was a great deal and I still make the offer if you don't want it, I will be happy to buy it from you :lol: Heck..I'll even pay for the clean and service The meeting afterwards was great. Yep..time did push us back to Kobe, and everything has been a rush as we reach the end of this trip. The highlight of yesterday was seeing that naginata they had just purchased with the socket mount. I have seen socket yari..but never a naginata with the socket forged as part of the "nakago" and it was a beautiful piece. Flawless and in polish. Loved the kantei session too. Please send my regards and thanks to the guys there last night. Enjoy the gun, and please kep us informed if you find out more about it..especially the internal sear. Brian

I don't think it is a very well polished sudareba, but sudareba it is. I have some stunning pics of sudareba that I took of a sword here in a shop in Kobe that I will upload when I get back. In person, a well done polish really looks stunning and is a great kantei point. Brian

Nakago, tsukamaki and fittings don't look good to me. Brian

Kanetoyo, I see the linked　page has changed. Could we have a new link to the pics so that this thread remains relevant? Thanks, Brian

Personally I wouldn't touch it unless it was $20 and I wanted a neat belt buckle. Too much damage and not much in the way of redeeming features. Brian

Overseas members get treated very differently to those within the USA. Anyways, warnings noted. I think this one is done now. Brian

Is that a little of Pete Klein's and Guido's sense of humour slipping in there Grey? :lol: Brian

Shan, I don't see mune in the nakago, and not sure why you do. The nakago would never have had a mune ridge if filed back and down a level. If there is a ridge, itis just the way it was finished off. Continue the line along the mune into the nakago and you can see there is no way any original mune can be present there. I feel it is suriage as suggested here, and nothing that much more puzzling than this. I doubt this was a very long hirazukuri wakizashi. More likely a medium length one that was shortened to the present shape. Brian

Nothing here is Goto besides the linked images. Not sure how Henry's post gets misread like this. Any research into Goto will make this very clear. Read what Henry wrote, and forget about stumbling on a Goto piece accidentally. They are very obvious when seen. Brian

Not necessary if your login name IS your real name :? Brian

John, I am still battling the flu/bronchitis myself (No..I wasn't the carrier I hope!) Hope you feel better. I am running out of days myself. Want to make the Sano exhibition, but not sure if I can swing it. If you are in Takayama, make sure you hit the old quarter. There are lots of antiques shops there with some good fittings, and prices were good if I remember. One cheap yari that I should have taken, but didn't. Ask around and they will bring out stuff. Did Nara today, Kobe tomorrow. Kyoto tosogu prices are way out..but did pick up a nice fuchi signed Naomitsu I think. Will have to post that one for opinions sometime. Also a shakudo tsuba with nanako in the center and Kaga? zogan. Brian